Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Baltimore, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-19 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Maryland

2 stops

  1. Maryland Board of Cosmetologists — Individual Cosmetologist License

    Each cosmetologist must hold a valid Maryland cosmetologist license from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Maryland Department of Labor). Requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology school (or 24 months as a registered apprentice) and passing the board exam. Licenses renew every 2 years; 6 hours of approved continuing education required effective Jan 1, 2026.

    Official government source

    $25 application (+ exam fee paid to vendor); $28 renewal every 2 years4–8 weeks

  2. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

City of Baltimore / Baltimore City

2 stops

  1. Maryland Board of Cosmetologists — Cosmetology Establishment License

    Cosmetology salons in Maryland must hold a beauty salon permit from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists before opening; inspection required; periodic renewal.

    Official government source

    $225 original permit; $56 renewal (per official board fee schedule)4–8 weeks after application and inspection

  2. Baltimore City Department of Finance — Business License

    Baltimore City does not issue a generic business license for all businesses. Maryland business licensing runs through the state court system: businesses that sell goods need a traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (fee based on average commercial inventory, $20-$2,125/year in Baltimore City per Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807). Most pure service businesses need no traders license. Baltimore City's Department of Finance issues only specific license types (e.g., late-night commercial operations, going-out-of-business sales), and location-based businesses need a DHCD use & occupancy permit.

    Official government source

    Most service businesses: no general license fee. Businesses selling goods: traders license from the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, $20-$2,125/year based on average commercial inventory (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. 17-1807).1–3 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses

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Official Sources

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